The Federal Government has terminated several contracts on the Abuja–Lokoja highway after contractors handling key sections of the road were found to have performed below expectations despite significant time already spent on the projects.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the decision on Wednesday during a media briefing in Abuja.
The minister, represented by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed, said the cancellations followed an extensive evaluation meeting with affected contractors.
According to him, the affected projects include portions of the Lokoja–Shintaku–Dekina road and the reconstruction of the Okene–Ajaokuta corridor in Kogi State.
Umahi explained that some terminations were mutually agreed upon, especially where the progress recorded was far below what was expected within the contract period.
Among the cancelled contracts is the project for constructing culverts and drainage structures in flood-prone areas along the Abuja–Lokoja axis (Section 2), awarded to Sadogi Nigeria Ltd on April 4, 2024.
Despite the elapsed contract time exceeding 112 per cent, the project had achieved only 39 per cent completion.
Similarly, the rehabilitation of Abuja–Lokoja Section 4A (CH. 23+400 – CH. 26+400 RHS), awarded to Venus Construction Nigeria Ltd in July 2024, recorded just 33.79 per cent progress while time spent had surpassed 131 per cent.
Umahi said this contract was also brought to an end on grounds of “effusion of time,” meaning the project had exceeded its allowable duration.
Not all firms were removed. For example, Sailthrough Engineering Services Ltd, handling Section IVB (CH. 23+400 – CH. 26+395, LHS), was directed to submit a firm commitment to complete its work by Dec. 20.
The ministry accepted the contractor’s pledge despite owing the company outstanding payments.
In contrast, the reconstruction of the Okene–Ajaokuta–Itobe road (Contract No. 7648), awarded to CCECC Nigeria Ltd in November 2022, was terminated.
Only two per cent of the project had been executed, even though nearly 147 per cent of the contract time had elapsed.
Supervisory consultancy services tied to the project were also discontinued due to funding constraints.
The rehabilitation of the Lokoja–Shintaku–Dekina–Ayingba road (Contract No. 7239), handled by TEC Engineering Company Nigeria Ltd, suffered the same fate. Awarded in February 2022, the project had achieved just 1 per cent completion after almost double the allotted timeframe.
Umahi said Geld/Triacta Nigeria Ltd (JV), responsible for dualising the Abaji–Koton Karfe section of the Abuja–Lokoja highway, has been instructed to return to site within seven days and fix failing sections urgently.
He commended JRB Construction Nigeria Ltd for what he described as commendable progress on Section 1 of the highway, directing that the work be completed by December 10.
The minister announced that all outstanding portions of the highway—including those affected by the terminated contracts—will be compiled and slated for emergency intervention to prevent further delays.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for supporting rehabilitation efforts on the 179 km × 2 (358 km) dual carriageway.
Umahi also apologised to commuters for the prolonged hardship caused by construction delays, explaining that the congestion and disruptions were consequences of multiple ongoing intervention projects.
He assured that the ministry is committed to delivering a safer and more efficient Abuja–Lokoja highway in the shortest possible time.
